LAST MONTH two American brothers, Michael Ray Stubbs, 55, and Jamil Daud Mujahid, 56, were arrested by Philippine authorities just south of Manila in the town of Tanza. Philippine Naval intelligence had been tracking their movements and allegedly caught the two interacting with “known leaders of various terrorist cells in the country with links to al Qaeda.”

Just last week, Philippine immigration chief Andrea Domingo held a press conference, announcing the arrest of the brothers for support of “terrorist activities,” although neither Stubbs nor Mujahid (who changed his name from James Stubbs after converting to Islam) is charged with any terrorist plots past or present. While this announcement was made, both brothers were standing in the same room, in handcuffs, and wearing yellow shirts that said “detainee.” A shouting match ensued, with Mujahid declaring, “It’s not true. We’re Americans. I have a wife, I have a kid.” Domingo was undaunted and continued to explain the charges. But Mujahid continued, “These are all fabricated lies. I don’t know any Muslims in the Philippines.”